Art: 26 Feet of History

So far as the famous historical frieze in the rotunda of the Capitol is
concerned, American history begins with Columbus and ends with the
discovery of gold in California in 1848. But for 64 years there has
been an unfinished blank space waiting to be painted in. Last week, at
the bidding of Congress, Muralist Allyn Cox of Manhattan was busy with
a $15,000 commission to bring history up to datea bit.

Cox's problem: the original muralists, Constantino Brumidi and Filippo
Costaggini, had used up 274 ft. of the available 300 in getting from
Columbus to the Gold Rush (among the scenes...